Spring type physical exerciser



Aug. 23, 1966 G. F. KCBLBEL SPRING TYPE PHYSICAL EXERCISER Filed July22, 1963 u R m m w m M M mu F W m United States Patent 9 Claims. 61.272-83) The invention relates to physical exercisers, and moreparticularly to a device for human use by which a large variety ofphysical exercisers for training and strengthening the muscular systemof the body may be carried out.

It is an object of the invention to provide an exerciser usable bycompression, pull and expansion. Another object is to provide anexerciser of simple and robust construction which is safe againstaccidents. A further object is to provide an exerciser which the usermay manipulate with his hands and feet and may also support against thefloor, wall or ceiling of a room.

These and other objects of this invention w ll become apparent from thefollowing description of an embodiment of the invention in connectionwith the accompanying drawings which form part of this specification. Inthe drawings,

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the exerciser embodying this invention,

FIGURE 2 is on an enlarged scale a side elevation with parts broken awayand parts in section of the exerciser embodying this invention,

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view being taken on the lineII'III'I of FIGURE 2, and

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modification of thisinvention.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 3 the exerciser includesan internal telescopic tube 11, slidable within an external tube 2.Inside the tubes 1, 2 is located a coil spring 3. The external end ofeither tube 1 or 2 is closed by a handle 4 which consists of two equalbowl-shaped pieces 5 arranged symmetrically. With their respectivecollars 6, the handle pieces 5 extend over the ends of tubes 1, 2 wherethey are rigidly held together and secured to said tubes by means of ascrew bolt 8 which is inserted in a bore 7 of each tube 1 and 2. Therespective pieces 5 are strutted by a transverse rib 9 which is ofsmaller height than the edges of pieces 5. The transverse rib 9 has twocylindrical reinforcements 10 which extend as far as the plane of theedges of pieces '5, as can be seen from FIGURE 3. The cylindricalreinforcements 10 have the same height as the edge of the two pieces 5and they receive screw bolts 11, by which the two pieces 5 of eitherhandle '4 are secured together. The pressure of these bolts, whentightened, is absorbed by the reinforcements 10, which will then moveclosely together.

At their transition into collar 6, the pieces 5 are provided with apartition wall 12, which is adjacent to the ends of tubes "1 and 2. Thebolt 8 forms a stop for the coil spring 3 inside tubes 1, 2.

The two parts 5 of each handle 4 are adapted to the shape of the handand are provided with three rounded longitudinal ribs 13, which havegrooves 114 between them, into which the fingers of the users hands canbe placed, so that he may have a firm grasp. The head of each piece 5has a roughly finished surface so that the device is safe againstslipping when supported on the floor, against a wall or a ceiling.

Each piece 5 where it joins its collar part 6 is provided with asemicircular recess .16. With two respective pieces 5 being put togetherto form the handle 4, the two recesses '16 .form a circular hole,through which an endless tensioning rope 17 is laid. The rope '17 is ofsmooth surface and should consist of a tension-proof plastic ma-3,268,225 Ice Patented August 23, 1966 terial, such as nylon, or someother polyamide. It is welded together to an endless rope at a joint 18inside one of the two handles 4. As shown in FIGURE 2 either track ofrope 17 may be provided with a handle 19, made of the same substance asthe rope itself and being one part with the rope.

For part of its length, the coil spring 3 is surrounded by a hose 20made of a plastic foil, such as nylon, which extends over the wholelength of the external tube 2 and half the length of internal tube -1.This hose prevents the coil spring 3 pressing against tubes 1 and 2 whenthe handles 4 are pressed together, and it saves lubricants for thespring. Further, this construction obviates any noise which wouldotherwise arise through rubbing of spring 3 against the internal wallsof tubes 1 and 2.

The length of rope 17 is such that, under the impact of the coil spring3, it is under a certain initial tension when the rope 17 limits theexpansion of tubes 1 and 2.

Referring now to FIGURE 4 which illustrates a modified example of theinvent-ion, the handle 4 is made up by one piece 21 instead of the twobowl-shaped pieces 5, but in the same way adapted to the anatomy of thehand, and also provided with grooves '14 for reception of the fingers,and at its external end it has a roughly finished surface =15. With itscollar 22, the handle piece 21 extends into the ends of tubes 1 and 2.So that the collar 22 is given a firm mounting in tubes 1 and 2respectively, it is provided with a plurality of annular ribs 23. Theinternal end of collar 22, which extends into tubes 1 and 2respectively, at the same time 'forms the stop for coil spring 3.

The described construction of the device according to the inventionmakes it possible for the user to carry out a large variety of physicalexercises.

-To carry out push exercises for improvement of the muscular system ofarrrus and chest, the two handles 4 are pressed together by the palms ofthe hands so that the telescopic tube 1 is pushed into tube 2 till coilspring 3 is fully compressed. For stretching exercises, the centerportions of the two tracks of rope 17 are grasped by the hands andpulled apart, whereby coil spring 3 is also compressed. The grasping ofthe two tracks of rope 17 is facilitated by the two handles 19 (FIGURE2). Another variation is to grasp the device with both hands at onehandle 4 and to support the other handle against a wall or ceiling,whereupon the device is compressed. Further, it is possible for each ofthe users hands to grasp one track of rope :17 and to twist the handswhile at the same time the rope is drawn together. This exercise isparticularly beneficial to the chest muscles. Also, one may have thedevice in horizontal position and with his feet tread into one track ofrope 17 while the other track is pulled up by both hands. This helps todevelop the back muscles. To strengthen the stomach muscles, one end ofthe device is placed on the floor, and the upper handle is presseddownwards by both hands. This exercise may also be made while stittingon the floor.

There are many more exercises beneficial to the users physique whichcould be mentioned. It is apparent that the device according to theinvention oifers such a variety of exercises that the whole of themuscular system can be improved. Whichever way the device is employed itis safe against accidents as the tension rope acts as a brake when thecompressed telescopic tubes due to sudden release of the handles of thedevice are driven back into their original position.

Although this invention has been illustrated and described withreference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understoodthat the invention is in no way limited to the details of suchembodiments, but is capable of numerous modifications within the scopeof the appended claims.

My claims are:

1. A physical exercising device comprising tubes arrange-d as atelescopic system, a compression spring means housed therein and biasingsaid tubes apart, handles mounted on opposite ends of said system, anendless rope having at least one track with a first bight at one end anda second bight at the other end, said first bight connected to onehandle and said second bight connected to the other handle.

2. A physical exerciser comprising a first tube, a second tube slidableoutside the first tube, compression spring means housed by said tubesand biasing said tubes apart, an end grip attached to one tube, a secondend grip attached to the other tube, said grips having a shape adaptedto the anatomy form of the hand, an endless rope having two spacedparallel tracks interconnected by a first bight at one end and a secondbight at the other end, said first bight connected to one end grip andsaid second bight connected to the other end grip.

3. The device of claim '1, wherein the endless rope consists of atension-proof plastic material.

4. The physical exerciser of claim 2, wherein each track of the endlessrope is provided with a handle.

-5. The physical exerciser of claim 4, wherein said handles consist ofthe same material as the rope.

*6. A physical exercising device comprising a first tube, a second tubeslidable outside the first tube, a compression spring means housed bysaid tubes, a hose of plastic foil enclosing said spring, handlesattached on opposite ends of said tubes, recesses in said handles, andan endless rope having at least one track with a first bight at one endand a second bight at the other end, said first bight connected to onehandle, and said second bight connected to the other handle.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the rope has such a length that in theinoperative position of the device said rope is under an initialtension.

8. A physical exerciser com-prising tubes arranged as a telescopicsystem, a compression spring means housed therein and biasing said tubesapart, handles mounted on opposite ends of said system, each handleconsisting of two @bowlshaped pieces symmetrically secured to oppositeends of said tubes, recesses in said bowl-shaped pieces, an endless ropehaving at least one track with a first bight at one end and a secondbight at the other end, said first bight passing through the recess ofone handle and said second bight passing through the recess of the otherhandle.

9. A physical exerciser comprising tubes arranged as a telescopicsystem, a compression spring housed therein, handles mounted on oppositeends of said system, grooves in said handles adapted to receive thefingers of the operators hand, said handles have a roughly finishedsurface, and an endless rope of tension-proof material, said rope havingat least one track with a first bight at one end and a second bight atthe other end, said first bight connected to one handle and said secondbight connected to the other handle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,023,756 4/1912Pons 27279 RICHARD C. PINKH A'M, Primary Examiner.

W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner.

8. A PHYSICAL EXERCISER COMPRISING TUBES ARRANGED AS A TELESCOPICSYSTEM, A COMPRESSION SPRING MEANS HOUSED THEREIN AND BIASING SAID TUBESAPART, HANDLES MOUNTED ON OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID SYSTEM, EACH HANDLECONSISTING OF TWO BOWL-SHAPED PIECES SYMMETRICALLY SECURED TO OPPOSITEENDS OF SAID TUBES, RECESSES IN SAID BOWL-SHAPED PIECES, AN ENDLESS ROPEHAVING AT LEAST ONE TRACK WITH A FIRST BIGHT AT ONE END AND A SECONDBIGHT AT THE OTHER END, SAID FIRST BIGHT PASSING THROUGH THE RECESS OFONE HANDLE AND SAID SECOND BIGHT PASSING THROUGH THE RECESS OF THE OTHERHANDLE.